AUGUSTA, Maine -- Maine's bear season begins on Monday, August 31 at 5:26 a.m. throughout the state of Maine, and this year, youth hunters ages 10-16 get their own day on Saturday, August 29. Last year, 11,345 hunters purchased a permit to hunt bear, the fourth straight year permit sales have increased, and the highest number of permits since 11,912 in 2008.
While IFW biologists expect hunters to do well once again, this year there is an abundance of natural foods compared to last year, and that could impact the success of hunters who use bait, while increasing the chances for deer hunters to get a bear later in the season.
"This is likely to be a better year for deer hunters as bears will be foraging later into the season due to an abundance of natural foods," said IFW wildlife biologist Jen Vashon. "With all the natural foods available, hunters who use bait will likely not see as many bears as last year."
Maine's bear season is divided into three segments, as hunters can hunt with bait from August 31 to September 26, hunters can hunt with dogs from September 14 to October 30, and hunters can still hunt or stalk bear from August 31 to November 28. Maine has one of the longest bear seasons in the country since Maine has the largest bear population in the country, estimated at over 31,000 animals. In addition to a season that starts in August and ends after Thanksgiving, Maine allows hunters to take two bears, one by hunting and one by trapping.
In 2013, 3,239 bears were taken during the 14 week fall season. Most bears (96%) were taken with the use of bait, dogs, or traps: 2,477 bears were harvested over bait (77%), 523 bears were taken by hunters using dogs (16%), and 106 bears were taken in traps (3%). Only 4% were taken by other methods: 36 bears were harvested by deer hunters, 57 bears by stillhunting, and 39 bears were taken by unreported methods. It was the lowest year ever for bears taken by deer hunters. Even with the lengthy bear season, only about 30% of all bear hunters are successful. By contrast, 72% of moose hunters, and 32% of turkey hunters were successful last year.
This is the first year for the youth bear hunting day, which will be Saturday, August 29. Youth hunters who have a junior hunting license can hunt bear with a firearm, bow, or crossbow on this day. Junior hunters may hunt bear with the use of bait, or still hunt; however the use of dogs during youth hunting day is prohibited.
Junior hunters may hunt only in the presence of an adult supervisor who is at least 18 years of age. The adult supervisor may not possess a firearm, bow, or crossbow while the youth hunter is participating in the bear hunt. Any person who accompanies a junior hunter other than the parent or guardian, must either possess a valid adult hunting license or have successfully completed a hunter education course.
While the abundance of natural foods this year is likely to impact hunters, it also is the primary reason for the low number of nuisance bear complaints to date. In 2014, there were over 600 nuisance complaints through August, and this year, there are just 335 complaints so far.
The numbers confirm research done by Maine's bear study. Over a span of 40 years, Maine's bear study has shown that not only does the availability of natural foods drive bear cub survival and bear birth rates, but it also directly influences when bears den for the winter, as well as hunter success rates. In poor natural food years, hunter success is higher than in years when natural food is abundant.
Availability of natural foods also fuels nuisance bear complaints. In 2013, when there was a good natural food crop, nuisance complaints dropped to 311, well under the five-year average of approximately 500 complaints per year. Last year, due to poor natural foods, nuisance complaints have increased to over 600, and this year, they are lower once again.
Maine's black bear population is closely monitored by Department biologists through one of the most extensive, longest-running biological studies in the U.S. The study began in 1975 and continues today. Over nearly 40 years, Department biologists have captured and tracked over 3,000 bears to determine the health and condition of Maine's bears and estimate how many cubs are born each year.
Successful bear hunters are reminded that it is mandatory to submit a tooth from their bear when registering. Tagging agents will provide envelopes and instructions to hunters as to how to remove the tooth. Biologists age the tooth, and the biological data collected help biologists adjust season lengths and bag limits for bears.
Hunters must have a bear permit in addition to a big game hunting license to hunt bear in Maine. Bear hunting is most popular and bear populations are the densest in the northern and down east regions of the state.
Media Contact:
Mark Latti, IFW Outreach and Communications, 287-5216, mark.latti@maine.gov
Judy Camuso, IFW Wildlife Division Director, 415-3611 (cell), judy.camuso@maine.gov
Jennifer Vashon, IFW Bear Biologist, 941-4238, jennifer.vashon@maine.go
No comments:
Post a Comment